Derrick Ward leaves game with ankle injury, Ben Tate explodes

Sep 11, 2011

That the Texans would open their 10th season Sunday with the NFL's leading rusher on the roster was impressive enough.

But the fact said running back, Arian Foster, wouldn't be active for the game, yet the Texans could still have 100 rushing yards by halftime – plus a stunning 34-0 lead over the Indianapolis Colts - spoke even more eloquently about how far they've come as an offense.

Note, too, that Derrick Ward, the man who started for the injured Foster, was already icing a sprained ankle and done for the day.

Not a beat would be missed because second-year pro Ben Tate, making his regular-season NFL debut, gained 116 yards while averaging nearly five per carry and scored his first touchdown.

Fantasy Impact:

Before the ankle injury, it was looking as if Ward would get more carries, but Tate impressed in a great matchup against a bad Colts rush defense and is looking like the right guy to own given the injuries to Foster and Ward.

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Chiefs WR Hollywood Brown's practice window to open "Friday or Monday"

Ian Rapoport

2 hours ago

Chiefs WR Hollywood Brown has received final clearance to practice, paving the way for him to play before the regular season ends.

Brown, who is recovering from surgery to repair his SC joint, should have his window opened Friday or Monday. The team will be cautious.

Fantasy Impact:

If Brown were cleared by Week 17, he would be incredibly tough to start in pretty much any sort of fantasy league with Championships on the line. However, he could be an interesting click for Playoff-only leagues if he can ramp up in time.

Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker misses second straight practice

Adam Schefter

2 hours ago

For a second straight day today, Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III didn’t practice due to his calf injury.

Related Players: Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh

Fantasy Impact:

Looks like things should be cleared out for Charbonnet once again in what could be a very close game against the Packers. If Walker misses Week 15, fire Charbs up as a high-end RB2.

49ers RB Isaac Guerendo, Nick Bosa, and Dre Greenlaw active for Week 15

Lindsey Pallares

3 hours ago

In Week 15, the red and gold have defensive lineman Nick Bosa and linebacker Dre Greenlaw active and ready for the team's second meeting with their NFC West rival, the Los Angeles Rams.

On the other side of the ball, the 49ers will have rookie running back Isaac Guerendo available against the Rams. He was listed as questionable on Wednesday on account of a foot sprain but was given the green light to play ahead of "Thursday Night Football."

Fantasy Impact:

We do expect Guerendo to handle the majority workload for TNF, but you do have to wonder if he gets the same type of workload he would have, had he avoided the injury report all week. Consider him closer to an RB3 than a locked-in RB2 he otherwise would have been.